...is anyone on this thread actively “shrugging” or planning to do so...
Shrugging will mean different things to different people, depending on their circumstances. Rand, I believe, would agree that her depiction of shrugging is not possible in the real world. She used her writing as a way to teach us about Objectivism. Atlas Shrugged is fiction and should not be taken as an instruction book. The ideas presented are perfectly valid though each individual will need to adapt them to their individual situation.
I am shrugging and know of others who are doing it as well. The main focus is to reduce the amount of taxable income that you need in order to live your desired lifestyle. Be aware that just about anything that you do has tax consequences that are detrimental to you. Some people confuse shrugging with shirking or slacking. There is nothing easy about shrugging, if anything it is more work. It requires that with anything you do, you first ask yourself who benefits. If the answer is not satisfactory, reexamine the need to spend your life doing it. Repeat.
A few practical suggestions would be...
Learn where every dollar you pay in taxes goes. Understand that it is _your_ money before it becomes theirs.
Consider that every dollar that you spend is actually costing you about $1.40 of your life. Time is money and unfortunately our time on earth is limited. Is that purchase really necessary?
Take control of your income. Consult a tax expert. Setting up a small business is a great way to reduce your taxable income. Specialize in something that you enjoy doing. You don't need to quit a current job to do this, in fact,you can transfer some of your earnings to your own business thereby reducing your taxes.
This brings us to understanding the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance. The first one is illegal the second is completely legal. I don't recommend breaking the law, that's not what shrugging is about.
I could go on but I won't. Keep in mind that your life belongs to you, not someone who claims to own it.
I’ve been thinking about your response about shrugging. Like you, I believe AS is not to be taken literally, but is an illustration of ideas. When you see the markets collapsing as they have been, you have to think why. When you see the price of hard commodities like gold and silver rising, you know what is happening. The traders are moving their money to something solid and tangible. I’m not an expert on economics, but I know you don’t chase good money after bad. A few of those guys on the trading floors have probably read AS, and they are reacting.
So we all have to look at our individual situation an evaluate what is the appropriate action.